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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he planned to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song suggested.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.